Compare Starting, Start-Stop and High-Cycle automotive and commercial batteries

Flooded Starting Batteries

Flooded Starting Batteries are the most popular lead-acid battery type. They often operate under the most extreme temperature conditions and must be able to deliver high cold cranking amps (CCA) consistently. Starting battery failure is most commonly caused by acid stratification, extreme temperatures and destructive vibration. Starting batteries are not designed for regular discharges of more than 1% to 3% Depth of Discharge (DoD).

Flooded Batteries for Start-Stop Applications

Start-Stop technology helps reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption by turning off your engine every time the vehicle stops. This puts severe micro-cycle demands on the battery as it is required to support all of the vehicle's electrical systems during engine-off periods. Batteries in Start-Stop systems must support more starts per year than they used to be required to in a lifetime.

Automotive starting batteries are operated under the most extreme temperature conditions and must be able to deliver high cold cranking amps (CCA) consistently. Passenger vehicles with start-stop systems can result in up to 30,000 starts annually, and commercial vehicles with Start-Stop systems can register well over 100,000 starts annually. Starting batteries are constantly micro-cycled by key-off loads and must support rapid recharging between short engine on/off periods. Starting battery failure is most commonly caused by acid stratification, extreme temperatures and destructive vibration. Other electronic loads can constantly place a significant high cycle load on vehicle batteries.

While Start-Stop technology helps reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption, Anti-Idle legislation mandates that commercial and emergency vehicles not idle engines during pick-up, drop-off or rest periods putting severe high-cycle demands on the battery as required to support load loads with the engine off. High-Cycle Start-Stop Anti-Idle batteries are designed for discharges up to 30%. Enhanced Flooded (EFB) Start-Stop batteries are designed for up to 17.5% discharges. Regular flooded SLI batteries are designed for discharges of less than 3%.

Flooded Batteries for Anti-Idle Applications

While Start-Stop technology helps to reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption, Anti-Idle legislation mandates that commercial and emergency vehicles not idle engines during pick-up, drop-off or rest periods putting severe high-cycle demands on the battery as it is required to support additional house loads as well as the vehicles original electrical systems. Anti-idle batteries must support more starts per year than a battery used to be required to in a lifetime. Automotive and Commercial High-Cycle Anti-Idle batteries are popular. Still, when used for house loads, it should be noted that they are not designed for regular discharges of more than 17.5% to 30% Depth of Discharge (DoD).